Society Is to Blame for Bigger's Actions in Native Son

Summary: Richard Wright's novel Native Son makes the case that society can make one feel fear, racism, and hate. The story shows the degree to which society is to blame for causing fear, self-loathing, and racism in Bigger, the protagonist of the novel.

Society can make one feel many different emotions that can affect everyday life. The way people act is usually triggered by society's beliefs and customs. Society can make one feel fear, racism, and hate. Bigger, the protagonist in the novel Native Son experiences different emotions influenced by society. These emotions cause him to act out in a harsh manner. Richard Wright's Native Son shows that society is to blame for causing fear, self-loathing, and racism in Bigger.

Society is to blame for causing fear in Bigger. The way society views black people make Bigger fear the Daltons, making him murder Mary. Bigger exclaims that, ."..[He] acted toward her only as [he] [knew] how. She was rich...They don't let you do nothing but what they want." (350). White culture puts fear in blacks by associating whites with having power, authority, and...